When the owners of Alberta based Len Thompson Lures realized the depth of the COVID19 Pandemic, they wanted to do their small part to help.
“As with so many businesses, we were very slow during the spring. But we wanted to keep our staff not only physically healthy, but mentally and financially healthy as well,” said company President Brad Pallister. “My sister and I wondered how we could keep people busy while also helping families struggling with the economic impacts of this unprecedented time.”
The Pallister siblings thought that their nationally distributed fishing lure products could generate interest across the country. Six unique, limited edition lures were created and 50% of the sales of these items were to be donated to community food banks.
“In the first weekend, we sold almost 700 lures. The response really did take us by surprise,” said Jessica Pallister-Dew, the company’s Marketing Manager. “The very next week, we loaded Brad’s truck up with groceries and delivered them to our food banks in Lacombe and Blackfalds.”
So far, twenty-two communities have been aided and nearly $18,350 has been raised on behalf of the campaign. Smaller to mid sized communities with a rich history of fishing, hunting, the outdoor conservation activities have generally been the recipients of the donations. The siblings are currently on an eight day, nine community and ten food banks tour through Northern Alberta and Saskatchewan. On this trip, they personally made a donation at the Yorkton Salvation Army Food Bank on the afternoon of September 21st.
“Saskatchewan has always been such a huge supporter not only of our brands, but of the outdoors and conservation in general. Furthermore, Yorkton is only 55 minutes away from Abernethy where my Great Grandfather started the company in 1929. Our roots run deep in this part of the Country.” said Pallister. “We are so excited to personally contribute in our own modest way to the important work the Yorkton Food Bank does for their community.”
The response from the anglers and the community has been so positive, the company decided to make the campaign last until September 30th. Contributions to the campaign can be made through purchasing of the limited edition lures at www.lenthompson.com
About Thompson-Pallister Bait Co. Ltd: Established in 1929, Len Thompson Lures is a 4th generation family owned and operated, Canadian manufacturer. The company’s staff hand craft each of their nearly 1 million items distributed each year throughout North America from their production facility in Lacombe, Alberta, Canada.
